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 Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:45 pm
Unlike his opponent, Deitric didn't look particularly enthused one way or another. He gave Omi time to talk and get himself on stage, picking at something between his teeth. After apparently improving his dental hygiene, the tribesman just gave an idle snort of disdain at Omi's verbal challenge.
Step up to me - Step up to me
" Whatever," he responded with more casualness than the situation warranted, bringing his right hand up to match the left in a surprisingly tight guard, fists hovering just at cheek-level; able to dip down to guard his flanks or raise to guard his face, and his stance set his right side forward. He wasn't inclined to mince words with Omi, or anyone else for that matter. His tone suggested more than just a dismissal of idle talk, he could have been dismissing his opponent just as well. You wanna be a big time player - it's not to be Deitric came forward smoothly, his upper body bobbing and weaving with each step, shifting and tilting this way and that as he moved while he bounced along on the balls of his feet. Apparently, someone had been practicing; the quick, swerving verve of his body suggested that he had been honing his striking technique, instead of planning on relying on his usual barrage of force. Omi wasn't the only fighter with an apparent affinity for the serpentine - Deitric's swaying movements were reminiscent of a cobra, rearing and waiting to strike.
Look at all the snide a** - actin' like a wise a**
Once the two men came just a couple of steps away from boxing range - unless Omi tried to check his range with a kick - the black-haired brave took an abrupt, hard step to his left that was notably different from his previous advance. A long step to the left almost always meant that a hard, right-handed punch was coming. Almost. I'll ******** up your face and you'll never look back The step became a feint; instead of firmly planting his foot on the ground, Deitric bounded quickly off the ball of his foot and abruptly turn all his force towards the right, twisting at the waist in the same direction to hammer a tight left hook towards the base of Omi's jawline. His right hand was still maintaining a guard, his head tucked down to try and aid in that defensive endeavor in case Omi tried to tag him during the initial feint - which, much like in the past, suited the brave just fine. He didn't have a problem playing tit for tat with any fighter, and that wasn't about to change. You're the enemy! The feint to his left took all of a split-hair fraction of a second before he came in with the real attack, left hook roaring in to try and smash his opponent's face to pieces. And that was plenty possible - like most heavy-weights, Deitric's punching power was more than a little worrisome, and he wasn't pulling any of it for anyone's sake - not the crowd's, and not Omi's. [1/10]
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:00 pm
"I would like to keep dancing, but honestly, I'm so friggin' hungry... maybe that's why I was in such a bad mood earlier. And thanks."
Rhoslyn's tri-colored eyes sparkled with appreciation, and he'd give a nod and a thumbs-up to the singer fellow. He wouldn't go buy the record, but they'd pulled off the song pretty well.
"Though after I'm sated, we can get back to dancing again.. although I would like to introduce you to a few friends of mine sometime tonight. If we have the time."
He'd wait for her to be ready before heading off towards the food.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:03 pm
Faustina took her seat beside James, nodding her thanks to the bartender as he left to fetch their drinks. While they waited, her gaze trailed back to her companion, and with the motion of his hand came to notice the blood that had gathered at the corner of his mouth. And then, of course, all doubt was blown out of the water.
"Faustina Jaeger. I have a proposal for you."
Her heart froze, and her body tensed, but the gaze locked upon his mouth refused to betray her stoic mask. Even if the front was useless against James, she would not have the rest of the hall witness her break down into the mere child she was inside this early-twenties body.
Thankfully, the bartender returned with their drinks, giving her an excuse to avert her gaze to, one hand casually moving to lay its fingers about the glass's cool exterior, but as the man continued to speak she suddenly found herself in no mood for drinks. Her tail slunk behind her, as if to hide in the folds of her dress, and her free arm came to rest upon the counter, giving her a support against which to lean.
And through all this, she would, of course, be panicking. W-What?! He'll KILL me? But I haven't DONE anything! And on THAT note, what THE HELL did Dad do to get so many people after his hide?! Is that why Mom-- Her eyes suddenly clenched, shutting out that last thought before it finished, and her brow furrowed, her mind forcing itself to turn to assessing the situation at hand.
Slowly, she would allow her lids to slide back open, her brow remaining in its displeased frown, and her pursed lips would finally part, laying out her first cards while she continued figuring out the best play. "...what is it you wish of my father? Is there some reason you can't just approach him yourself, as you have done with me?"
Now that it was clear the man meant nothing but ill-will to the Devils, Faustina noted she had to be extra careful with the waters upon which she tread. She mustn't relay anything of her past, of her father, of their precarious relationship...nothing.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:06 pm
Iru smiled and nodded. "Well, we can dance after you get something to eat." She replied before giving him a hug. "Let's go." She took his hand and walked with him towards the food table. She wasn't hungry, but she could nibble on random finger foods while Ross stuffed his face.
"Friends?" She looked up towards him. "Well, we could meet your friends first then we can get back to dancing. I never got to properly meet any of the ones that were on your team in that last tournament."
She looked towards the sea food section. The crab meat was still there. "Looks like you're in luck." She pointed her finger towards the food.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:08 pm
"Not without me, you ain't." Grumbling, Robyn followed just behind Rylen, her tail lashing. Something about that scent had unsettled her. And all the fighting and chaos, along with the blood in the air, had her pressing a little bit harder on Selene's cage. Cage being just a representation of the inner workings of her mind, of course.
The pair followed the scent like two bloodhounds, eventually stopping at the scene. The blood on the floor, along with a few lingering spectators told them they'd found the spot. Under her breath (dang that sensitive hearing came in handy) she whispered. "This doesn't look like a brawl."
She watched the crowd, and some were obviously still wary, the fox able to follow their gaze to...a creepy, yet nonetheless normal looking guy, who seemed engrossed in the fight happening on the dance floor/ring.
Robyn scratched just behind her ear, nonplussed. "What d'you make of it, Ry?" Look at them, being all detective-y. Should star in their own show, something like... "A Pack of Lies", or, or "Heads or Tails" or, or, "I really suck at stuff like this".
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:27 pm
Sey "Saphen I'm going to have to take your hand, okay? This is going to hurt, I'm sorry-"
"Sey wait it isn't an ordinary..."
CRRRAAACCCKKK
"IT'S ENHANCED!!!"
the bard yelled in pain as she set his elbow and wrist in place...at the very same moment his shoulder was dislodged from it's socket.
The musician practically buried his masked face into her beautiful dress to muffle the sounds of his own agony. Every shrieking gasp, every surge of pain, every snapping sound reminding him of what was to come if she didn't do something soon.
"The poison was enhanced for at least an hour straight...during the entire performance of the jazz band..." he whispered before his elbow began to twist again. The remainder of the poison in that particular region trying to snap his elbow again. Raising his head slightly off the fabric of her clothing he did his best to speak once more.
"It is....going to move through my body until it gets to my rib cage..." his arm twitched as if to confirm this fear. She might not be able to see his face but she could feel the wetness of tears soaking parts of her lovely dress...something he made note to apologize for later...if he made it.
"Let us just say that Eve herself could not have thought of a better way to kill Adam." His head rested back against her as he gasped in pain...it wouldn't matter much if she couldn't repair him quickly...He would have to go into this tournament with one hand tied behind his back.
That in itself was suicide...
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:28 pm
Cyrus, as usual, stood on the side lines observing everything with a smoke in mouth except his usual tuxedo jacket outfit was in inverted colors save for his usual cobalt tie which was as badass as normal. And he slept against the wall for a good moment till he opened his eyes with a tint of wearyness on him.
He looked over at the bar and he decided it might be worth dropping by for something to drink, but the moment he walked in he noticed the girl from yesterday, Faustina was it, and she was in bad shape from the look of things. He walked over and grabbed a seat next to her.
"Are you alright Faustina, is this fellow harrassing you?"
He looked at James with a calm but deathly look as his normally cobalt eyes had a tint of violent blue thunder in them. He didn't like this situation, not one bit, and he stood right above Faustina at his full 6 foot 3 inches with his lean but muscular build.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:29 pm
"Well, you've met James around the bar, I'm sure... uhm. Yasuo is around somewhere, he was on my team. I didn't see Kain apply this year, either. So really... I don't have a whole lotta them around here, either. Deitric, but we're both busy men and haven't seen much of each other recently. And... uhm... that's all I can think of, at the moment."
His eyes lit up at the food, and he piled it high with crab meat, what looked like taquitos, assorted what looked like pot stickers, some fried chicken, and a few big heels of what seemed to be French bread.
"This'll do for now, though I'm gonna come back and straight demolish like three cakes."
Actually, his plate looked like a mountain, and one at risk of an avalance. Needless to say, he carried it away from his body. After walking to the nearest free table, somewhat near the fight and the pair of Robyn and Rylen, he'd give the two a nod and set the food down before pulling a chair out for Iru.
It took skill to not ram the chair into the back of a woman's knees, but Rhoslyn had a lot of practice at this. After she'd sit, he'd go sit across from her and idly run his foot up and down her leg as he ate.
"Oh, that's him there. The big guy, looks... tribal."
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:34 pm
Oh? Roen really was her father? James had merely suspected as much, but thank you all the same.
She really wasn't good at this wordplay and negotiating crap. So much for extra careful.
"Have you ever heard of the term, "The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son a thousand times"?" Probably not, he chuckled to himself.
"You're no son. but you're the closest I have. The thousands slain of Puerto Diablo call out for blood, and those lost souls will be appleased, one way or the other" He paused to take a sip of his Vesper. Pretty good. He motioned for her to drink hers.
"Its rude not to drink. Don't worry, its not spiked or anything. I have no such need of such tactics. Besides... your father was just here. He fled for his life. He took his whores with him and ran."
A scoff.
"... he left you behind then. Good father that is, leaving his daughter to the mercies of those who would kill him for what he did." James observed in a deceptively casual tone.
The slayer spared only a sideways glance for the man who was cutting in.
"You shouldn't pry into the business of others." was the only piece of advice he'd offer Cyrus.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:37 pm
Roen Jaeger In lieu of Ever's request and the limousine driver's obliging ease of the breaks, Roen would look towards his date and regard the look painted across her handsome face. Tinted with revulsion and undisguised contempt for the company in her presence, the Devil still found her comely, and conveyed to her the regret he had for what was and what could and should have been of both their evening and relationship.
Nay, he felt no anger, and only wished to put an end to the suffering he felt so keenly through empathy. Rising up from his seat and to the exit of the limo, Roen would open the door and climb out of the vehicle and gesture for Ever to to very much the same, his hand going to hers out of gentlemanly instinct to help guide her out of the vehicle. Revolted or not, he'd take her hand regardless, and hold it still even as she stepped out of the idling limo. Looking into her earthen eyes with his own sanguine colors, the Darkened Devil would cup Ever's hand in both of his and lift her dainty digits up to his lips, kissing them fondly before guiding her to the sidewalk.
Once reaching the side walk, Roen would slip back into the street with Ever's hand still in tow and reach into the vest of his Armani Suit, pulling out a tanned leather pouch that jingled suggestively. Taking his former date's hand and placing the pouch with her palm, Roen would close the sailors fingers around it and once again kiss her hand before releasing it altogether. "This concludes our relationship," the Devil would say in earnest though stricken with the gravest of sorrows, "I wish it were otherwise." Then, not one for long good-byes, Roen would flash a forced rougeish smile in Ever's direction despite the tears that gathered at the edges of his eyes. "Farewell, Ever Linde."
Though she had no control over how Roen interpreted whatever expression marred her pretty face, revulsion and and contempt weren't quite the right words to describe the brunette's present feelings. Regret, certainly, but it took much more than that for Ever to truly feel resentment towards a person. One had to intend to hurt her, or treat her as neglectfully as Gill had done, to earn the sailor's scorn. For that reason a small part of Ever twinged reluctantly at this parting. The side of Roen that the Devil had always shown her was nothing but kind, and good company at that...
It's not that simple, a sighing inner voice reminded the mariner as his eyes locked with hers. His sweet manners towards her couldn't overshadow that darker nature, and to believe he wouldn't act within that nature would be naive. A friendship with the Devil would mean constant conflict within herself, and Ever had made a lifestyle of running from her conflicted emotions.
The temperate summer air worked well to ease the tempest churning in her stomach. A healthier color returned to the mariner's cheeks as Roen brushed his lips across the backs of her slender fingers.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, frowning in distaste at whole affair. Losing this fledgling friendship before it had even gotten a chance, and when relationships were so rare for the sailor in the first place, now that was a truly lamentable casualty. Couldn't it be helped?
Roen walked her to the sidewalk, an uncomfortable silence befalling the pair, and as he placed the satchel of coins into her hand she felt ashamed. Judging by the weight of the pouch, he'd compensated her with far more than his debt; enough, even, that she could take another break from her on-again, off-again employment at the Cloak and Dagger and return to a life asea. For that she would someday have to thank him, but for now she didn't even want to think about this cold transaction.
"Ah--" At a loss for words, Ever simply pressed her lips together and gave a disheartened shake of her head. Her conflicted eyes and reluctantly twisted mouth upwards towards the Devil. "Goodbye for now, Roen."
And, as silently bidden, the mariner turned towards the street and lifted her right arm to hail for a taxi while Roen turned back to his business in the limousine. A checkered cab sidled close to the curb to pick up its dispirited passenger. The mariner didn't speak until she'd slipped into the rear seat of the vehicle and leaned close to the partition to murmur to her driver. A moment later the car pulled away from the sidewalk, bound for the hotel they had just left.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:38 pm
Rylen surveyed the veritable scene of the crime, or what had been left of it after the wounded woman had been taken away by medical personnel. That left not much but blood on the floor and a cold chill in the air which caused the fur on his ears and tail to stand up. He lowered himself in a crouch to get a better look--and sniff. Getting back on his feet, he followed her gaze to the man responsible with a look of mild annoyance on his face.
If he was indeed the same man, because the guy Rylen saw was simply standing around watching the fight like nothing had happened. And Rylen did not even see the state of the victim. More than that, Rylen had no idea what the hell happened or why, exactly. For all he knew, the victim deserved it given this crowd. Rylen did not have some supernatural ability to sense evil, malicious intent, or the dark magics of the undead. So, really, he did not think much of it, and it showed on his sour face.
"Looks like the kind of thing you would expect at a ball for a fighting tournament." The half-wolf diverted his attention for a moment to the fight ensuing on the vacated dance floor. The action was revving up, and the vampire--or normal guy, for all Rylen knew--was apparently enjoying the show. To Rylen, it felt like a wasted avenue of investigation. Still, there was no mistaking that ominous atmosphere surrounding them, especially as they got closer to the source of it all. Again, not so much a magical sense for wrongdoing, but a building intuition from all the evidence piling up around them that, well, chaotically dangerous s**t was going down, everywhere.
"Maybe they will announce the damn brackets after this match. I don't see the god damn point to it at all..." Rylen's brow quirked when he noticed a man pass by him, giving Robyn in him a nod. He recognized the face, though he could not quite place the name. He had stood up before to call out the devil that apparently destroyed a whole city, and he sat in the area of the other tournament officials. Was he a judge? So he would be the one of the individuals tasked with judging the fights, and he had already proven himself a potent wizard.
It made Rylen wonder for a moment if his little comment would land him in some hot water, but this particular judge did not really strike him as the type to mind.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:45 pm
Yes, she had met James. They didn't talk much, but they had met. He seemed to be busy with the devil girl at the moment, not that Iru would pay much attention to his situation. "Hm, well then there is really no one around that you can introduce me to right now."
In the little time it took for Iru to pick up small samples of some of the foods, Ross had constructed a mountain of food. It was amazing the plate supported all that weight. She had been eating since they get there, yet he still had more than what she ate in that one plate. She couldn't even imagine how his stomach could hold so much food.
Iru chuckled. "For now? Sometimes I wonder if you have two or three stomaches in that body of yours." She looked down at her plate of little snacks to nibble on. She wasn't hungry, but she didn't want to just sit there and watch Ross demolish his plate of food.
She shook her head before following him to the table. The camera men seemed to be more occupied with the fights, poisoning, and distress of the other guests, so Iru and Ross could enjoy themselves without much harassment. Iru placed her food down before sitting in her chair. "Thank you." She said as Ross pulled her chair out for her. He was a pervert, but he was a polite pervert. That was always a plus.
After Ross sat down, she felt his foot running down her leg, which would feel even softer than usual. Her whole body was, in fact. Before the ball, she made sure to use her extra special body soaps and oils to make her skin feel as soft and smooth as possible. Iru had a thing about wanting to look her best in these types of events. She began to play with his foot with her own as she looked towards the stage. "He's huge!" She exclaimed. "How tall is he?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:53 pm
blood on the floor...
"Huh?"
KB blinked, breaking himself free of the fight between Deitric and Omi. The two were just working towards one another in their H2H way, so it was just starting to become exciting. It would do good to pay attention to both their fighting styles, but that was a bit difficult with ears twitching and tails swishing around. Looking to the disruption, the vampire noticed the blood staining the floor.
"I must have missed a spot." He apologized, stepping forwards. His right hand hovered over the floor, his gloves palm pointed at the mess. His fingers were straight, his hand forming the natural 'blade' shape, with each finger gently curled, the pointer finger least and the pinky most.
The blood on the floor stirred - then lifted. Like drops of oil in water they came free in small orbs, leaving no trace behind. Each droplet rolled up through the air, some crashing into one another to former larger globules. Like cattle at the mercy of a UFO they steadily ascended, until finally they crashed into the glove and seamlessly melded with the vampire's form. There were no stains to indicate the entire thing wasn't just a hallucination.
He smiled.
"Now, if you bloodhounds will run along, some people are trying to enjoy the events."
Yes, yes, run along little doggies. KB hated dogs. Hated foxes. Hated anthros and kitsunes more than either. Didn't much matter what animal they came from, or why, he wouldn't like them. He wasn't a pet person - not unless that pet was a pet rock.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:53 pm
Surprisingly, Omi took little noticeable insult at the dismissal shot his way. Outside of combat, perhaps this would have thrown him into a furor, but it was too late; they were in another world now. Victorious or defeated, it was a world the combatant Barsait knew so well it may as well have been his mind that conjured it. Of bones shattering, simple mistakes, triumphant strikes. Yes, not having fought a live opponent since before his practice run in the cold wilderness to the north, this contradicting feeling of contained berserkergang.
Of course, little time was available to just take in the enjoyment of it all. If there were calling cards in how Omi fought, the same could be said of Deitric. He was always linear until in striking range, always forceful, dove for dominating the flow of the match from the beginning, and then never let it go. Ensnaring an opponent then crushing them, out-maneuvering wasn't the key.
Both fighters were humans, however. They changed.
Perhaps the cobra, the taller man Jocasta could see it. How Omi's head tilted downward, how his teeth clenched together tightly between pursed lips. Yes, those neck muscles tensed 'til they faded into the white cloth of fine clothing, as the fellow's lips turned into a noticeable, exaggerated frown. Certainly odd.
However, as Jocasta began his abrupt step to the left (Omi's right), this is where matters would become disrupted on one simple detail. Just outside of one's arm span was not their true reach.
[SHEENK]
The sound of dress shoes gliding across the floor with such ease. Already, Barsait's step-in was often praised, but adding onto the fact he wasn't wearing boots designed to dig into cliffs or full-body armor into the equation [plus] his training to come in more radically, shifting his body forward on that right foot as the left happily sang along was the very reason he took that squared stance to begin with. Whichever way Deitric approached, inevitably he would be in Omi's gauged "true range."
What could this do? If you'd recall, from his perspective, Omi's left arm was at an odd angle- but the right, it was lined up just right as Barsait's body lurched so rapidly into place, for a sudden knuckle-first jab, full-force. Given the right-handed fellow was stepping in southpaw at a distance his opponent gauged as kick-worthy at best, and was giving a sudden bash - it may not do much damage, striking at Deitric's upper body~neck line in target.
But if Jocasta was performing an impromptu feint, a single jab mid-motion earlier than Jocasta could begin the way back "home" would likely send the brave to the ground. As much as many boxing fans disliked it, that's what the typical "jab" was for: gauging timing & distance for a power punch, interrupting an opponent.. and if you were lucky enough, send an opponent not expecting it off-balance quicker than they intended.
Barsait wasn't the type to give a damn about the odds, his left arm staying at that awkward angle and position making for an appropriate guard in case Deitric managed to come back with a hook towards Barsait's rear side, left side, as his left foot rotated 90 CCW to maintain better rear balance.
He was a serpent. Tempting his fangs however briefly would be a bold choice.
[1 / 10]
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:54 pm
Faustina couldn't help but visibly wince at the things James was saying to her, and in spite of herself her head would snap to the side and bestow a vile glare upon her companion. Her lips pulled back into a snarl, her tail writhing like a leathery black serpent, and she would hiss at the man, "Father didn't know I was here..." As for how "rude" she was being, she stopped seeing such a need for pleasantries the moment he threatened her life, and so she would push the glass away from her, rotating in her stool as she continued to sneer, "...and I have hardly anything to do with the sins of my father."
It was at that time Cyrus approached the two, a sight which the young Devil was quite relieved to see--and this would show on her features, a genuine smile gracing her lips as she made to stand from her stool and go to his side, white-gloved hands going to grasp his arm nearest her. Whether James held her back or not, she would return her gaze upon him, nose haughtily upturned, and retort, "On the contrary, Mr. Eredas, this is my companion for the evening. My business is every bit his."
She secretly (and desperately) hoped Cyrus would catch on.
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